20 CDS (Club Demonstration Services) Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to in-store marketing, Costco relies on Club Demonstration Services (CDS) to promote its products. If you’re interested in working for CDS, you can expect to be asked some specific questions about the company and its marketing strategies.

In this article, we’ll give you an overview of CDS and some sample interview questions that you may be asked if you’re applying for a job with the company.

CDS (Club Demonstration Services) Interview Process

The interview process at CDS (Club Demonstration Services) is generally quick and easy. Most candidates report being hired on the spot after a brief interview. However, some positions may require multiple interviews or a more lengthy hiring process. Overall, candidates report having a positive experience with the interview process at CDS.

1. What is your experience in sales?

Costco is a retailer, so it’s important that you have experience in sales. This question can help the interviewer determine if your previous work experience aligns with what Costco looks for in its employees. Use examples from your past to show how you’ve helped increase sales and customer satisfaction.

Example: “In my last position as a retail associate at a department store, I was responsible for helping customers find products they were looking for. One day, a woman came into the store looking for a specific type of dress. She described the dress she wanted, but we didn’t have any dresses like that in stock. Instead of just telling her we couldn’t help her, I asked her more about the dress she was looking for. After hearing more details, I found out that the dress she was looking for was actually a bridesmaid dress. We had several options available.”

2. Are you comfortable with sharing product samples at Costco?

Demonstrating products at Costco requires a unique skill set. The interviewer wants to know if you have the ability to share your product knowledge with customers in an engaging way that will encourage them to purchase the product.

Example: “I am very comfortable sharing samples of my products at Costco because I’ve done it before. In fact, I find it quite enjoyable and rewarding when I can help someone discover a new product they love. It’s important for me to be able to explain how the product works and why it is beneficial to their life.”

3. Do you have any health restrictions that would prevent you from standing for extended periods of time?

Costco’s CDS employees are required to stand for long periods of time, so Costco wants to make sure you’re physically capable of doing this. If you have any health conditions that would prevent you from standing for extended periods of time, it’s best to disclose them in your answer.

Example: “I do not have any health restrictions that would prevent me from standing for long periods of time. I am a very active person and enjoy being on my feet all day.”

4. How do you think your past work experiences could help benefit CDS?

Demonstration services is a unique position that requires you to be both an artist and salesperson. Employers ask this question to make sure you understand the role of CDS and how your past experiences can help you succeed in it. Use your answer to explain what skills you have that will benefit you in this role.

Example: “I think my previous work experience as a freelance artist would help me excel at CDS. I am used to working independently, which is important for this job because we are often on our own when demonstrating products. My artistic background also makes me well-suited for this position because I know how to communicate visually with customers.”

5. What are some goals you would like to accomplish as a Sales Advisor?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand what your career goals are. It’s important to show that you’re motivated, eager to learn and have a desire for advancement.

Example: “I would like to become an expert in all of Costco’s products. I’m currently taking classes at night to earn my certification as a wine connoisseur, which will allow me to provide more information about the company’s wines. I also want to increase sales by 10% this year.”

6. Have you ever worked in retail before?

This question is a great way to learn more about the applicant’s experience and how they performed in retail. If you have worked in retail before, consider sharing an example of a time when you helped your employer succeed.

Example: “I’ve never worked in retail before, but I do have some experience working with customers. In my previous position as a waiter at a restaurant, I learned that it’s important to be friendly and helpful to all of our guests. This skill has definitely helped me throughout my career search because I know how to interact with people and make them feel comfortable.”

7. If you had an upset customer, how would you handle the situation?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you would handle a challenging situation at work. Use your answer to highlight your customer service skills and ability to resolve conflict.

Example: “If I had an upset customer, I would first apologize for their experience and ask them what they expected from me as their sales associate. Then, I would try my best to make things right by offering them a discount or free item on top of their purchase. If the issue was more complex than that, I would find a manager to help solve the problem.”

8. Would you be able to lift up to 50 pounds?

Costco requires that all CDS employees be able to lift up to 50 pounds. This question is used to determine if you are physically capable of performing the job duties. If you have any physical limitations, it’s important to let the interviewer know about them so they can understand why you might not be able to perform this task.

Example: “I am in excellent shape and I regularly work out at the gym. I would be happy to lift up to 50 pounds as long as I had a spotter with me.”

9. Why do you want to work at CDS?

This question can help the interviewer learn more about your interest in working for Costco and CDS. Use this opportunity to show how you are passionate about helping businesses grow through marketing.

Example: “I want to work at CDS because I am passionate about helping small businesses succeed. In my last position, I helped a local business create an effective social media strategy that increased their online presence and sales by 30%. I love seeing companies grow and expand as a result of my work.”

10. Tell me about a time when you were working on a team project and there was conflict, how did you handle it?

Demonstrating products to customers in a Costco store is often a team effort. The interviewer wants to know that you can work well with others and resolve conflict when it arises.

Example: “I was working on a project for my marketing class where we had to create an advertisement campaign for a product. My group members were all very creative, but they also wanted to do everything themselves. I explained that the best way to get the highest grade would be to collaborate and share ideas. We came up with a great ad campaign together.”

11. Describe how you handle stress and pressure.

Demonstration services managers often work in fast-paced environments. They need to be able to handle stress and pressure while still performing their duties effectively. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a time when you faced a stressful situation and how you overcame it.

Example: “I have worked in the retail industry for over 10 years now, so I am used to working in fast-paced environments. However, there are times when things get hectic. For example, during Black Friday sales, we may have hundreds of customers in our store at once. In these situations, I try to remain calm and delegate tasks to my team members. This helps me focus on what is most important.”

12. Provide an example of a time when you went above and beyond for a customer.

Demonstrating customer service skills is an important part of working in retail. Employers ask this question to make sure you have the ability to help customers and provide them with a positive shopping experience. Use your answer to show that you are willing to go above and beyond for customers, even if it means staying late or helping someone find something they’re looking for.

Example: “When I worked at my previous job, I had a customer who was looking for a specific item. They were having trouble finding it on their own, so I stayed after work to help them find what they needed. It took us about two hours, but we eventually found the item. The customer was very happy, and I felt good knowing that I helped them.”

13. When was the last time you had to deal with a difficult customer or situation?

Demonstrating products in-store can be a challenging job, especially when you’re working with customers who are not interested in what you have to offer. Employers ask this question to make sure that you know how to handle difficult situations and remain calm. In your answer, try to highlight your problem-solving skills and ability to communicate effectively.

Example: “I once had a customer who was looking for a specific product. I showed him several similar items but he wasn’t satisfied. He started getting frustrated and asked me if I knew where the item was located. I calmly told him that I didn’t know where it was, but I would help him find it. We looked through all of the available products together until we found one that matched his needs.”

14. Can you tell us what your biggest strength is?

Demonstration services managers need to be confident and persuasive in their presentations. Employers ask this question to see if you have the confidence needed for the job. In your answer, share a strength that relates to the position.

Example: “My biggest strength is my ability to think on my feet. I’ve been working as a sales associate at Costco for five years now, so I know how to handle most situations. However, there are always new products or customers who come into the store. When this happens, I rely on my quick thinking skills to find ways to sell these items to our customers.”

15. In this role, we will be asking you to cook food to share as samples. Are you comfortable doing so?

Demonstration services employees are often asked to cook food samples for Costco customers. This question helps the interviewer determine if you have any experience cooking and whether or not you enjoy it. If you do, share a story about how you cooked something in the past that helped you get your job at Costco.

Example: “I love to cook! I actually got my first job as a line cook because of my passion for cooking. My previous employer loved my work so much that they recommended me to this position.”

16. We organize events throughout the year, can you describe a time where you planned an event?

Demonstrating products in-store is only one part of the job. You may also be responsible for planning and organizing events, such as product demonstrations or sample giveaways. This question can help an interviewer understand your organizational skills and how you plan to use them at Costco.

Example: “At my previous position, I was responsible for planning a variety of different types of events. For example, we would have monthly wine tastings where we would showcase new wines that were available in our store. We would also host cooking classes once a month where customers could learn about various recipes they could make with ingredients from our store.”

17. Give an example of a time when you had to solve a problem that was not straightforward. How did you approach the problem?

This question is an opportunity to show your problem-solving skills. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation and how you used critical thinking to solve the issue.

Example: “At my previous job, I was responsible for managing inventory levels of our store’s most popular items. One day, we were running low on one of our top selling products. Rather than ordering more right away, I decided to check other locations in the region to see if they had any extra stock. Sure enough, another location had some extra inventory that they were willing to sell us at a discounted price. By taking the time to think critically about the situation, I was able to save the company money.”

18. What do you think are the most important qualities for a successful team member?

Demonstration services team members need to be able to work well with others. This question helps the interviewer determine if you have the qualities necessary for a successful team member. Use your answer to show that you are willing to collaborate and help others succeed.

Example: “I think it’s important for team members to be open-minded, flexible and empathetic. I believe these qualities allow us to better understand one another and support each other when we need it most. For example, in my last position, I worked with a colleague who was new to the company. She had some challenges at first, but she was always willing to ask questions and learn from her mistakes. I tried to be as helpful as possible while also encouraging her to take ownership of her tasks.”

19. What is your availability?

This question is a great way to determine if you are available for the job. When answering this question, be sure to include your availability and any days or times that you cannot work.

Example: “I am currently available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. I can also work weekends as needed. My schedule is flexible, so I would love to help out with any extra hours when needed.”

20. Describe a time when you felt something wasn’t right but followed what your manager said to do anyways.

Demonstrating integrity is an important part of working for Costco. This question helps the interviewer understand how you would handle a situation where your personal values conflict with those of your employer.

Example: “I once worked at a retail store that sold electronics. One day, I noticed one of our salespeople was selling a product that had a damaged box and no manual. The employee told me they were instructed to sell it as-is because it was on sale. I explained to my manager that we couldn’t knowingly sell a broken product. She agreed and we returned the item.”